Rodney E. “Gene” Rishel, 84, of Delphi, passed away Tuesday-September 24, 2024, at 9:10pm, at his home in Delphi after a brief illness. He was born July 16, 1940, in Lafayette, to the late Rodney & Mary Heathcote Rishel. He graduated from Delphi High School in 1958. His first job was at Ross Gear in Lafayette. He then owned and operated Rishel Trucking in Delphi from 1978 until his retirement in 2009. He also had Rishel Auto Sales in Delphi. Gene loved auto mechanics and built many small block racing engines for friends and customers, as well as the ones he used when he would drag race. He enjoyed the sport and won several trophies from area drag strips. Gene never met a stranger and enjoyed people and was always willing to lend a helping hand or give them what they needed. He loved to tell stories, especially professing his deep seeded faith in the good Lord. Gene’s greatest love was for his family. He was a good dad and loved them all very much. Surviving: daughter-Sheri & Trent Eaton of West Lafayette, daughter-Cynthia & Rodney Rauch of Avon, daughter-Jody Fife (sp. Michael) of Bunker Hill, West Virginia, son-Keith Rishel of Delphi, life partner-Clara Hill of Delphi, sister-Marlene & Larry Jenkins of Delphi, sister-Judy Rishel of Delphi, brother-David Rishel of Lake Odessa, MI, 7 grandchildren, 7 step grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, 14 step great grandchildren survive. Services: Visitation will be Saturday from 11am until his funeral service at 1pm at Abbott Funeral Home, Inc., Delphi. Rev. Dan Gottschalk officiating. Burial at IOOF Memorial Gardens, Pittsburg. To view his obit or send an online condolence to the family, visit: www.abbottfuneralhome.com